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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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JFIP computer language /Jet Propulsion Laboratory FORTRAN language with Intervals Preprocessor/ for extending FORTRAN 4 to utilize subroutines performing interval arithmetic
Chebyshev polynomials maximum property, examining effect of roundoff errors in Horner scheme for floating point arithmetic
STAR computer has five redundant modular function units, fixed store, arithmetic, memory, input, and output. Each unit is connected to a diagnostic control unit, each is coded for error detection and error correction. Separation into function units permits assembly of many different systems from the set of units.
Digital filters response errors due to signal amplitude quantization, resulting from analog-to- digital conversion and arithmetic operations
Logic, arithmetic, control and instruction capacities of dedicated onboard telemetry preprocessor
Tolerance compare technique indicates discompare only when numerical difference value exceeds prescribed limit. Algorithm involving binary number properties is defined, in lieu of arithmetic operation which requires relatively complex circuitry. Extension of algorithm may be made to encompass tolerances other than one unit.
Calculating tables of inverses and determinants of finite segments of Hilbert matrices using variable precision rational arithmetic
Stored-programmed special purpose computer for double precision arithmetic realization of digital filters, discussing design, implementation and testing
Human performance in rotating environment, discussng Stromberg Dexterity, pursuit rotor, mental arithmetic, verbal learning and NAMI Ataxia tests
The conclusions of the design research of the song adaptive delta modulator are presented for source encoding voice signals. The variation of output SNR vs input signal power/when 8, 9, and 10 bit internal arithmetic is employed. Voice intelligibility tapes to test the 10-bit system are used. An analysis of a delta modulator is also presented designed to minimize the in-band rms error. This is accomplished by frequency shaping the error signal in the modulator prior to hard limiting. The result is a significant increase in the output SNR measured after low pass filtering.
NEWRAP, an improved version of a previous multiple linear regression program called RAPIER, CREDUC, and CRSPLT, allows for a complete regression analysis including cross plots of the independent and dependent variables, correlation coefficients, regression coefficients, analysis of variance tables, t-statistics and their probability levels, rejection of independent variables, plots of residuals against the independent and dependent variables, and a canonical reduction of quadratic response functions useful in optimum seeking experimentation. A major improvement over RAPIER is that all regression calculations are done in double precision arithmetic.
A parametric approach to irregular fatigue protection is presented. The method proposed consists of two parts: empirical determination of certain characteristics of a material by means of a relatively small number of well-defined standard tests, and arithmetical application of the results obtained to arbitrary loading histories. The following groups of parameters are thus taken into account: (1) the variations of the mean stress, (2) the interaction of these variations and the superposed oscillating stresses, (3) the spectrum of the oscillating-stress amplitudes, and (4) the sequence of the oscillating-stress amplitudes. It is pointed out that only experimental verification can throw sufficient light upon possibilities and limitations of this (or any other) prediction method.
This paper summarizes some of the practical considerations and implementation techniques used in the development of the onboard software for an experimental navigation system. This software includes (1) a Kalman filter implementation in square-root form with gyro and accelerometer noises modeled as random forcing functions in the filter; (2) operational modes for inflight alignment, ground alignment, normal aided inertial navigation operation, and postflight analysis; (3) a sophisticated time-sharing system for obtaining a very flexible input-output capability during real-time operations; and (4) a problem formulation and scaling for complete operation in single-precision arithmetic using a 24-bit word. The paper emphasizes the procedures used in formulation, scaling, and time-sharing for the real-time Kalman filter application. Some flight results are presented to illustrate the performance of the filter during real-time operation.
A special-purpose computer is organized to realize a second-order digital filter in a choice of 11 programming forms. Instructions for the forms are stored in a fast-access READ-ONLY memory. Also, a hard-wired multiplier is employed in the Arithmetic Unit to decrease computation time. The multiplier is organized into uniform functional blocks that are suitable for large-scale integration (LSI). A computer-aided design (CAD) program may be used to select the best filter programming form for a given filter transfer function D(z). The CAD program also aids in the location of the binary point in the data registers of the computer.
The n-dimensional scattering problem is solved by means of a k-space formulation of the field equations, thereby replacing the conventional integral equation formulation by a set of two algebraic equations in two unknowns in two spaces (the constitutive equation being an algebraic equation in x-space). These equations are solved by an iterative method with the aid of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm connecting the two spaces, requiring very simple initial approximations. Since algebraic and FFT equations are used, the number of arithmetic multiple-add operations and storage allocations required for a numerical solution are reduced from the order of N sq (for solving the matrix equations resulting from the conventional integral equations) to the order of N(log base 2 of N) and N, respectively (where N is the number of data points required for the specification of the problem). The advantage gained in speed and storage is thus of the order of N/log base 2 of N and N, respectively. This method is thus considerably more efficient than the conventional matrix method, and permits exact numerical solutions for much larger problems. Arguments are presented toward the view that the field equations are more fundamental in k-space. The details and some numerical results of the application of this method to the three-dimensional electromagnetic scattering problems are presented as an example.
The trajectory of an orbiting spacecraft is determined from an orbit determination program. Two inputs to this program, among others, are the range and range rate relative to some known location. The arithmetic and measurement errors in the determinations of the range, range rate, and range differences were identified and evaluated. These uncertainties are tabulated for one way and two way systems. A comparison of the measurement error contributions illustrate the predominance of thermal noise effects under low power budget conditions, with the other error sources becoming relevent for the high power budget case. The evaluated uncertainties are summarized as root sum squared noise and bias errors.
The results are reported of research into the effects on system operation of signal quantization in a digital control system. The investigation considered digital controllers (filters) operating in floating-point arithmetic in either open-loop or closed-loop systems. An error analysis technique is developed, and is implemented by a digital computer program that is based on a digital simulation of the system. As an output the program gives the programing form required for minimum system quantization errors (either maximum of rms errors), and the maximum and rms errors that appear in the system output for a given bit configuration. The program can be integrated into existing digital simulations of a system.